Roy Benin
President

Roy joined The Beer Store in April 2023 as our President.  Roy is focused on building future business leaders, activating The Beer Store’s future strategy with excellence, being a positive contributor to culture, and delivering annual business results. Prior to joining The Beer Store, Roy spent 15 years as President of Consumer-Packaged Goods companies across North America.

Outside of work, Roy enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, and toy poodle. He is a marathon runner and really enjoys learning about new cultures.

When asked why Roy is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, he responded:
“The idea of being the "best source for beer" is meaningful. Especially when you think about our Environmental Leadership impact over the past 95 years. The rich, long, and noble history is impressive.”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with him, Roy said:
“Hard question as they are all meaningful and interdependent. Health & Safety would be my choice as we need to ensure that our employees go home safely to their families...each and every day!”

Cathy Kim
Senior Director, Finance

Cathy joined The Beer Store in 2022. As our Senior Director of Finance, Cathy is responsible for internal and external Financial Reporting, Accounting, Accounts Payable Shared Services, Treasury and Taxes. Prior to becoming Director of Finance with The Beer Store, Cathy held various external positions in Finance, including Corporate Controller and Director of Supply Chain Finance.

When asked why Cathy is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, she responded:
“I am most proud to be a part of the TBS team because of the people and my team.  The drive, passion, and dedication to do what's best for the organization are balanced with collaboration, team spirit, and caring for each other.  It is a recipe for success built over many years and evident in the deep culture.  It’s clear that people love working here!”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with her, Cathy said:
“Respect. We are all here to drive for results, achieve targets, and excel in performance. These are the ‘what’s,’ but the differentiating factor in creating a positive environment where everyone wants to come to work and be their best is the ‘how’s’ - how we go about achieving the ‘what’s.’ The fundamental of my ‘how’ is building relationships on Respect including honesty, integrity, and promoting a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging which aligns with this Core Value.”

Fulvio Matteazzi
Interim Head of Finance, Financial Planning, Analysis & Procurement

Fulvio has been with The Beer Store since 2012. As our Interim Head of Finance, Fulvio oversees all financial business cycles, annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, monthly reporting, variance analysis and outlook, and procurement of goods and services. Prior to his promotion to Interim Head of Finance, Fulvio held several key roles, including Director of Procurement & Business Analysis, Director of Strategic Projects and Director of Risk & Strategic Planning.

Outside of work, Fulvio enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and enjoys travelling, playing golf, and going to live sporting events. He is also an avid fan of hockey, soccer, basketball, football, and baseball.

When asked why Fulvio is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, he responded:
“I am very proud of the charitable work that we do. I’m also proud of the great culture we have in working together and how all employees are respected.”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with him, Fulvio said:
“This is a tough one to choose as all 5 Core Values are very important, but for me it is Respect.  This is the foundation that everything else builds on and values our most important asset, our people.”

Jay R. Wilson
Senior Vice President, People and Culture

Jay Wilson has been with The Beer Store since 2006 and is our Senior Vice President of Talent, Culture and Organizational Effectiveness. Jay oversees our Human Resources Division including People & Culture, Health & Safety, and Pension, Benefits & Payroll. Prior to his recent promotion to Human Resources, Jay held several pivotal positions including Vice President of Logistics, Director of Employee Relations, Manager of Employee Relations, and Manager of Corporate Health & Safety.

Outside of work, Jay is a husband and proud father to three children, and enjoys basketball, cycling, music, and boating. Jay is Chair of the Board on DEBRA Canada, as well as an Executive Sponsor for the B Proud Employee Resource Group.

When asked why Jay is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, he responded:
“I am most proud of our employee community. We are one united group with the same goal: drive the business forward while treating everyone with the level of respect they’ve come to expect.”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with him, Jay said:
“While it’s difficult to only select one of Core Values, the one that most resonates with me is Respect. This is the starting point that everything else is built upon.”

Jeff Wilcox
Senior Director, Health & Safety

Jeff Wilcox Joined The Beer Store in 2011 and is our Senior Director of Health & Safety. Jeff oversees the Health & Safety team and the Disability Management & Return to Work Services team. Jeff has been an integral key player of creating the culture of Health, Safety & Wellbeing that exists today. Health & Safety continues to be a driving factor in our high levels of employee engagement and satisfaction in the workplace. Prior to his promotion to Senior Director of Health & Safety, Jeff has held various key roles, including Manager of Corporate Health & Safety and Senior Manager of Corporate Health & Safety.

Outside of work, Jeff has two daughters and a wife of 40 years. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys helping others, and volunteering for his local community.

When asked why Jeff is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, he responded:
“I am proud to have witnessed the progress of Health and Safety over the past decade at The Beer Store. We have received positive feedback from many employees about how they are impacted from the improvements they have benefited from. I’m grateful to assist and share in the opportunity to help employees achieve safety success, both at work and elsewhere.”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with him, Jeff said:
“I believe our number one Core Value is Health & Safety. I will continue to work tirelessly to keep the wellbeing of our team members relevant and successful.”

Jeff Zabalet
Vice President, Legal

Jeff has been with The Beer Store since 2016.  As Vice President of Legal, Jeff directly supports the Internal Audit team, Loss Prevention team, Real Estate team, and the Stewardship team.  Prior to becoming Vice President of Legal, Jeff worked for one of the largest firms in Canada for 10 years. 

Outside of work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid soccer player and fan.

When asked why Jeff is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, he responded:“The legal profession is really a service industry.  I enjoy the variety of work and being able to support all areas of the business.  The reason why my role is so rewarding to me is the great people that work here.  As a service provider, it’s wonderful to work with such knowledgeable, down-to-earth and appreciative individuals.”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with him, Jeff said:“Sustainability Leadership. Employees at The Beer Store are very proud of our sustainability achievements and our model of a circular economy that’s been in place for almost 100 years.  The concept of a circular economy has become the future aspiration for many governments and industries only recently.”

Jennifer Mason
Senior Director, Information Technology

Jennifer Mason’s impressive career began with The Beer Store in 1985. In her current role as Senior Director, Information Technology, Jennifer manages the IT Team and oversees all development, infrastructure, networks, and security across The Beer Store. Prior to her promotion to Senior Director of Information Technology, Jennifer held several pivotal roles, including Retail Manager, Project Manager of Corporate Systems, and Manager of Application Development.  As a fun fact, Jennifer’s first role with The Beer Store was sorting bottles and delivering beer at our Oakville Distribution Centre, which is now a Retail Store.

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time at her cottage in Northern Ontario and fishing with her husband. Jennifer is the Executive Sponsor for the Women’s Initiative Network Employee Resource Group. Jennifer is passionate about breaking down barriers and empowering women to achieve success. 

When asked why Jennifer is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, she responded:
“I am most proud of the people. Each day I am blessed to work with such great team members across Ontario. I enjoy mentoring, managing, and meeting new people, with every new I.T. project we embark on.”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with her, Jennifer said:
“All of our Core Values are very important to me. Respect continues to resonate with me the most, since being the Executive Sponsor for our WIN Employee Resource Group. This group which includes women and allies provides me the opportunity to work with individuals across the Company, share our stories and support people in our organization.”

Natasha McVie
Director, Marketing

Natasha has been with The Beer Store since 2019, and is currently our Director, Marketing. Natasha oversees our marketing division which includes brand and marketing communications, digital and eCommerce platforms, space planning and merchandising.  Previous to this role, Natasha held the position of Brand and Communications Manager.

Outside of work, Natasha is a proud mother to two boys and family is her greatest hobby. She enjoys year-round camping, the outdoors and gardening.

When asked why Natasha is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, she responded: 
“I am extremely fond of the spirit we have at The Beer Store. The positive energy and enthusiasm found across the business is exceptional. It’s a team first organization, I’m proud to work with such incredible talent.”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with her, Natasha said: 
“Customer Experience, as a brand it all comes down to your service and setting a standard for a great experience. We have great customers and partners, let’s continue to deliver an exceptional service they enjoy and expect from us.”
 

Ozzie Ahmed
Vice President, Retail

Ozzie Ahmed joined The Beer Store in 2004 and is currently our Vice-President of Retail. Ozzie oversees the Retail Operations Team, The Marketing and Digital Teams, the Ecommerce Team, and the Space Planning Team. Prior to his promotion to Vice President of Retail, Ozzie held several key roles, including Retail Manager Trainee, Retail Manager, District Auditor, District Manager, and General Manager, Retail Operations.  Ozzie is the proud Executive Sponsor of our BMindful Employee Resource Group and is very passionate about supporting the mental health of our team members across Ontario.

Outside of work, Ozzie enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, working on motorcycles, and is an active member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s Board of Directors.

When asked why Ozzie is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, he responded:
“I am most proud of our people and how amazing they are. They inspire me to work harder and serve them the best I can in my role! We have the best employees and customers, hands down.”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with him, Ozzie said:
“Choosing Respect as a core value is meaningful to me because it sets the foundation for fostering positive relationships and creating a healthy work environment. It builds trust, a sense of team, and promotes DEIB. This not only enhances individual well-being but also contributes to the overall success of the organization along with team effectiveness.”

Ryan Wagner
Director, Strategy & Execution

Ryan joined The Beer Store in 2021. As the Director of Strategy & Execution, Ryan and his team (Project Management Office & Analytics) are responsible for the growth and direction of The Beer Store, positioning it competitively in an evolving landscape and delivering the enterprise portfolio. Prior to his current role, Ryan was the Senior Manager of Strategy at The Beer Store, a management consultant and worked in operations as a mining engineer.

Outside of work, Ryan plays professional lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League and enjoys travelling with his wife, cooking & all things music. Ryan is a Board Member at Pathstone Foundation, an organization that supports mental health care services for children and their families in the Niagara region.

When asked why Ryan is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, he responded:
“Growing up in a small town I’ve seen the positive impact that the Beer Store has on local communities. I now understand that this is undoubtedly because of our people and their commitment to giving back. Our people work hard, adapt to change and do whatever it takes to move the business forward – that’s what makes me proud.”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with him, Ryan said:
“I'm really drawn to the idea of “leaving the world a little better than you found it.” That's why our core values of Respect and Sustainability Leadership mean so much to me. Seeing them put into action every day, means that they’re more than just words on a page and for that reason they resonate most with me.”

Suzanne Makins
Senior Director, People & Culture

Suzanne Makins joined The Beer Store in 2000. As the Senior Director of People & Culture, Suzanne oversees the Employee Relations Team, the Compensation Team, the Learning & Development Team, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Team, and the Organizational Effectiveness Team. Prior to her promotion to Director of People & Culture, Suzanne held several key roles, including District Manager, Senior Manager of Learning & Development, and Director of Employee Relations.

Outside of work, Suzanne enjoys hiking, biking, and building model planes. She is also a lifetime member of the Warplane Heritage Museum. Suzanne is a regular supporter of many charitable events for Multiple Sclerosis, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, and ALS fundraising.

When asked why Suzanne is proud to be a part of The Beer Store, she responded:
“I am very proud to be a part of the team as we are constantly changing and reinventing ourselves. This allows us to grow and implement new and exciting changes to the business. Throughout my tenure, I have helped develop many team members, and enjoy seeing them grow within our company. Our people are passionate and committed to the success of our company which makes me very proud.”

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the most with her, Suzanne said:
“Every one of our Core Values are important and a vital part of who we are and what I believe in, but if I had to lean towards one that would be Respect.  We are all Leaders, and part of that role is valuing every employees ability, and qualities.  It is important we foster a positive culture where you feel valued, appreciated, and motivated.  The Beer Store continually shows the importance of respect through our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives across the company.  We should be proud of who we are and feel we belong in a company that respects our voice.”